ROILO GOLEZ, Philippine National Security Adviser (2001-2004). The world and the Philippines as Roilo Golez sees it. With focus on national security, geopolitics, geo-security, economics, science and government.

Saturday, May 27, 2017

Golez: A heavily armed US warship stalks Mischief Reef and Ayungin Shoal inside West Philippine Sea while US P-3 Orion surveillance plane had face off with Chinese fighter jets in the South China Sea. Choice of the the West Philippine Sea for the US Navy's first freedom of navigation run under Trump is interpreted as a show of force in support of the Philippine position in an area which China claims in violation of international law. Tension rises in the South China Sea as the two countries exchange warnings.

Golez: A heavily armed US warship stalks Mischief Reef and Ayungin Shoal inside West Philippine Sea while US P-3 Orion surveillance plane had face off with Chinese fighter jets in the South China Sea. Choice of the the West Philippine Sea for the US Navy's first freedom of navigation run under Trump is interpreted as a show of force in support of the Philippine position in an area which China claims in violation of international law. Tension rises in the South China Sea as the two countries exchange warnings.

I quote from this Russia-based Sputnik News:

"Chinese fighter jets came within 100 feet of US anti-submarine and maritime surveillance P-3 Orion aircraft over the South China Sea, ABC News reported citing US officials on Friday.

WASHINGTON (Sputnik) — The incident involving the two nations' aircraft took place on Thursday, the media outlet said.

US Destroyer Sailing in S China Sea Unlikely to Be the Last Episode in Washington-Beijing Standoff

"On Thursday, China's defense ministry accused Washington of militarizing the South China Sea region, following the sailing of an US Navy destroyer near the disputed Spratly Islands chain.

"The USS Dewey sailed within 20 kilometers (12 miles) of Mischief Reef in the Spratly archipelago. Chinese frigates tracked the destroyer and issued a warning, urging the vessel to leave the area, according to media reports."

On Thursday, China's defense ministry accused Washington of militarizing the South China Sea region, following the sailing of an US Navy destroyer near the disputed Spratly Islands chain.

The USS Dewey sailed within 20 kilometers (12 miles) of Mischief Reef in the Spratly archipelago. Chinese frigates tracked the destroyer and issued a warning, urging the vessel to leave the area, according to media reports.

China and several US allies in the region — namely Japan, Vietnam and the Philippines — have competing claims to the maritime borders and responsibility areas in the South China and East China seas.